Relaxation of educational qualification for admission to pre-sea courses of General Purpose Ratings and certificate course in Maritime catering and for issuance of CDC for the natives of Minicoy island of Union Territory of Lakshadweep belonging to Schedule Tribe.

**Executive Summary** DGS Order No. 11 of 2021, dated March 9, 2021, addresses the relaxation of educational qualifications for natives of Minicoy Island (Union Territory of Lakshadweep) belonging to the Scheduled Tribe for admission to pre-sea courses and issuance of Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDC). It extends the relaxation granted vide DGS Order No. 1 of 2017 for a further period of three years, i.e., up to May 8, 2023. This order is effective immediately and is communicated to all stakeholders through the DGS website. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Subject**: Relaxation of educational qualification for natives of Minicoy Island of Union Territory of Lakshadweep belonging to Scheduled Tribe for: * Admission to pre-sea courses of General Purpose Ratings * Certificate course in Maritime catering * Issuance of Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC). * **Background**: The Directorate General of Shipping received a request from the Union Territory of Lakshadweep (UTL) for relaxation. * **Previous Order**: DGS Order No. 1 of 2017 allowed relaxation from "Xth Standard Passed" to "VIIIth Standard Passed" for Scheduled Tribe natives of Minicoy Islands of UTL to take admission in pre-sea rating courses and obtaining CDC, valid until May 8, 2020. * **Extension**: DGS Order No. 1 of 2017 is extended for another three years, until May 8, 2023. **Impact Analysis** **Stakeholder: Natives of Minicoy Island (UTL) belonging to Scheduled Tribe** * **Impact:** They continue to benefit from the relaxed educational qualification requirement (VIIIth Standard Passed instead of Xth Standard Passed) for admission to pre-sea courses and obtaining CDC. * **Action Required:** They can apply for the courses using the relaxed educational qualification until May 8, 2023. **Stakeholder: Maritime Training Institutes** * **Impact:** They can continue to admit eligible candidates based on the relaxed criteria until May 8, 2023. * **Action Required:** No specific action required but ensure compliance with the order's provisions until May 8, 2023. **Stakeholder: Directorate General of Shipping** * **Impact:** Continued oversight and administration of the relaxation policy. * **Action Required:** Implement and monitor the extended relaxation period. **Stakeholder: Union Territory of Lakshadweep (UTL) Administration** * **Impact:** Lakshadweep natives benefit from the relaxed criteria, so the Lakshadweep Adminstration will continue to improve the local economy with more Lakshadweep natives being able to be trained to work on the ships. * **Action Required:** No specific action required but continue to improve the local economy.

Key Entities Referenced